Film on Pendle Hill’s 1612 artwork marking anniversary of Pendle Witch trials

The premiere is at 7-30pm and tickets costing £5 are available from the box office on 661080. Besides the screening of the film, there will also be live music from folk singer Roger Westbrook, a member of The Pendlefolk.

The controversial installation was produced by local artist Philippe Handford and attracted criticism from the Church and some Pendle residents. Despite this, it proved extremely popular, attracting positive national media attention and generating calls locally for a permanent memorial to the Pendle Witches on Pendle Hill.

The evening will be compered by Julian Jordan, of local PR business Brandspankin’ and an organiser of the Pendle Witch Walk – the event that coincided with the unveiling of the 1612 installation.

Philippe said: “The premiere should be an excellent occasion and we’re hoping to have a bumper attendance. I’m looking forward to the film as it will demonstrate some of the challenges, the opposition and the logistical difficulties we faced. Good art should raise questions and provoke debate – in that sense, I’m really happy with the outcome we achieved.”

Julian added: “I was a vocal supporter of Philippe’s work and I was delighted with the outcome – so I’m very flattered to be asked to be part of this premiere. The 1612 installation will live long in the memory for the hundreds of people that attended Pendle Witch Walk.

“It was a challenging and defining image of the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch Trials. This helped to generate extensive positive media coverage of the Pendle area that was seen by millions – nationally and internationally.”